Sand trap for rail sanders



A; 26, 1947. w v. L. FRANTZ 2,426,499

smn TRAP FOR RAIL SANDERS :Filed March 4, 1944 2 sheets-sheet 1 v as x V/Rm L. Hwy/v T2 Aug. 26, 1947. v, FRANTZ 2,425,499

smn TRAP FOR RAIL SANDERS Fi l ed' March 4, 1944' v 2 sheets-sheet '2 Patented Aug. 26, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 7 Claims.

The invention relates to a sanding mechanism for a railway locomotive and the like.

An object of the invention is the provision of a valve means associated with a nozzle and sand trap whereby both a cleanout blast and a sanding application of air is transmitted to a sand trap.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a sand trap casing having but a single air application nozzle extending therein and whereby a substantially unrestricted air force is sent through the nozzle to function as a cleanout blast and this force is automaticallycut off to be followed by a restricted air force also passing through the nozzle to effect a sanding operation.

A still further object of the invention is the provision, in a sand trap arranged to be associated with a locomotive, of a valve mechanism having therein a reciprocating piston arranged to be actuated by air pressure or pneumatically controlled so as to effect a cleanout blast or a sanding operation through a single nozzle.

An added object of the invention is to provide a sanding mechanism of simple and durable construction, eificient operation, positive action and of relatively few parts for the work accomplished.

These and other objects of the invention will become apparent from the succeeding description considered together with the accompanying drawings which illustrate two exemplified forms or species of the invention, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view taken through a specie of the present invention; and

Figure 1a is a vertical sectional view taken through a part of the structure of Figure 1 to more clearly illustrate said structure.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view taken through a second specie of the invention.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, and

. considering initially the disclosure of Figure 1,

there is illustrated a sanding mechanism l comprising a body, casing, housing or trap 2 usually and preferably of cast form. The body is provided with an upper exteriorly threaded neck 3 on to which is attached a free extremity of a sand supply line (not shown) which functions as a conduit in the course of transmitting sand from a supply hopper most usually situated in overlying relation to a boiler (not shown) to the sand trap where, because of the formation of the body,

the sand is prevented in the absence of a motivating force, from moving further.

As is well understood by those skilled in the art, the sand trap or casing is introduced into the sanding system to prevent an unwarranted or unnecessary application of. sand to the rails or Wheel supporting track. The main portion 4 of the sand trap is horizontally disposed and has one end thereof terminating in an outlet or discharge port 5 interiorly threaded as illustrated to accommodate a discharge pipe (not shown), which leads from the sand trap to a position above a rail or rails in advance or to the rear of a traction wheel of a locomotive so that, under well recognized conditions, sand may be applied to the rail or rails in the path of the traction wheel or wheels. The sand trap is also provided with a bottom port 6 in substantially vertical alignment with the neck and which is interiorly threaded to accommodate a plug (not shown) closing this port. This arrangement is provided in the sand trap so that in the event the sand supply line becomes clogged and the like, the port 6 will function as a cleanout opening.

The casing has, in alignment with the discharge port,'an aperture or counterbore 1 having associated therewith a combination valve and nozzle 8 formed as a unit and which may be preassembled and adjusted before being removably secured to the trap. Secured to the trap in any manner desired, and accommodated by the aperture, is a sleeve 9 having a restricted portion In thereof extending into the body and directed towards the discharge port. The sleeve functions as a guide means to maintain the valve and nozzle combination in a predetermined position. The valve-nozzle combination is desirably formed in part by a valve 1 I having an extension or nipple I2 extending into or closely fitted or accommodated by the sleeve and having extended thereabout intermediate its ends, a packing ring or gland [3 in abutting relation with the associated extremity of the sleeve. The gland forming a sealing means at the juncture of its location is urged into contact with the sleeve and nipple by means of a bushing or packing nut M which is threadedly associated with the casing. As will be noted, the packing nut is also closely associated with the nipple to thereby form a holding means for the valve and nozzle combination.

The nipple has, extended therethrough, a canal IS in communication with the interior of the valve II and being preferably of stepped arrangement to have intermediate its ends an inner or check valve l 6 so constructed that the passage of a column of air is only permitted in one direction and that being toward the interior of the casing. The check valve is inserted in the passage from the main valve II to a nozzle I! so that while a column of air may, during the operation of the sanding mechanism,lpass into the nozzle the thus directed air will create a turbulence within the casing so that when the application of air is discontinued there will be a tendency for the air carrying particles of sand to re-enter the nozzle. If this action were not arrested by some nature of a barrier, sand would be permitted to enter the interior of the main valve with the inevitable and recognized damaging effects or results,

Threadedly associated with the free or innermost extremity of the nipple is a section of tubing or an extension I8 which forms the nozzle l1 and projects through the restricted sleeve portion to the interior of the casing a distance sufficient for the successful operation of the mechanism; The opening into the nipple or the canal is defined by an annular or circular seat I9 which'also forms one side of a cavity or chamber 25] in the valve. The chamber has at its upper extremity an entrance port 2! which leads to or is in communication with a pipe or conduit 22 which forms a conveyorfor a supply of pneumatic pressure or compressed air. The conduit is an actuating line connected or leading to a control valve (not shown) under'the supervision of an operator so that the column of air may be'sent through the actuating line as desired. Disposed oppositely from the seat within the valve and directed into the cavity or chamber, is an opening 23' neatly accommodated by a piston or'plunger 24 arranged to reciprocate as hereinafter more fully described. Thepiston,

being of a different type, has a smaller extremity- 25 thereof positioned within the chamber but normally sufliciently spaced from the seat a predetermined distance so that a free unrestricted application or blast of air may be sent through the chamber into the canal and thence through the nozzle. This air' blast is commonly termed a cleanout blast since it is a full, complete and unrestricted application of air and its function'is'to clean out the sand'trap and lines'lea'ding' therefrom so that all obstacles which might have been formed in the trap or lines such" as: clogged. sand are positively and definitely removed to clear the way for a following sanding operation. The smaller extremity of the piston is so formed that it fits snugly upon, against or within the. seat during certain operating conditions and in this seat engaging position forms a barrier against a full application of air through the nozzle.

The opening 23 leads, in a direction away from the chamber, into an enlarged cell 26 which. is occupied by the greater of the remaining portion of the piston with a connecting wall 2'! between the opening and cell being fluted for the accommodation of a packing ring 28 which functions as a barrier in an endeavor to prevent the entrance of air to the cell from the chamber; Since the piston is of a reciprocating type this carrier is not positively effective and because of this fact bleed lines 29 extending through the valve into the cell permit the escape of air from the cell. The packing ring 28 has a spring seat or ring 30 in bearing relation therewith which forms a means for maintaining the packing ring wedged into the fluted area formed by the connecting wall. The end of the piston opposed from the smaller end is larger than the latter and is in the nature of a head 3! of such diameter as to slidingly fit within the cell. Wound about the piston in paced relation thereto is a coil or helical spring 32 which bears directly against the head and spring seat to maintain the piston in retracted or normal position as illustrated. The valve is provided with a rotatively removable cap 33 forming an end compartment 34 and providing a means for facilitating the application of the piston and its components to the interior of the valve. Because of the particular arrangement in the proximity of the piston head, a post 35 is threadedly associated with the piston and abuts the cap so as to limit the action of the spring and accordingly the travel of the piston in one direction or outward- 1y of the valve.

Means has been provided to build up a pneumatic pressure within the end compartment in order that its action upon the piston head will force the piston through the chamber into a seat-engaging position and thereby cut off a cleanout blast or' full air application. Toward the accomplishment of this end, the piston is provided with a central bore or axial port 36 which projects coincident with the axis of the piston throughout the entire length of the piston and post. Perpendicularly disposed to the axial port 36 is a second or radial port 31 positioned adjacent the smaller extremity of the piston and forming cross ports which communicate with one another and open at the periphery of the piston within the chamber and at each end of the piston. An outlet bore 38 bisects the axial port 36in the post so as to present a communicating canal between the compartment and chamber. Accordingly, when'the chamber is subjected to an application of pneumatic pressure, a portion thereof will pass through the nozzle to function as a cleanout blast and another portion thereof will enter the radial port, pass through the axial port and outlet bore to'build up in the compartment'. When suflicient pressure is built up in the compartment to overcome the forces of the coil spring and pneumatic pressure on the smaller end of the piston, the piston will be urged towardthe seat untilit comes to rest thereagainst, thus cutting off the cleanout blast. A continued application of air will permit a restricted column of air to pass through the radial port and enter the nozzle for effecting a sanding operation. It will be apparent that when thesupply to compressed air is cut off from the actuating line-the pressure built up within the compartment will be relieved and the air built up therein will escape through the axial port and the forces built up in the spring will enable it to return the piston to a retracted or normal position preparatory to the next'succeeding sanding operation,

Referring now in detail to the structure ofFigure 2, it will be noted that, like the mechanism of Figure 1, it includes a sand trap, casing, body or housing 2a having extending therein a nozzle l8a directed toward an outlet or discharge port 5a. The main valve and nozzle arrangement of this specie has intermediate the ends thereof a check valve [6a to prevent sand being admitted to the casing from the neck 3a and entering the main valve I la. The difierence between the specie under immediate consideration and that heretofore described resides in the main valve and for this reason this latter named element only will be described inminute detail; it being understood that the nozzle and its attachment to the casing. is common to both structures.

The valve Ila has a canal Ilia leading from a chamber 20a formed in the interior of the valve. One side of the chamber has an entrance or restricted opening 40' leading therefrom and into a pocket M which is fed through a reservoir pipe 42. As indicated, the reservoir pipe is connected to a constant supply of compressed air or a reservoir (not shown) and by reason of this arrangement the pocket is continually charged with pneumatic pressure. The entrance is, adjacent to the chamber, defined by a seat .l9a while the portion thereof adjacent to the pocket is defined by a rest 43. Disposed within the Valve is a piston or plunger 2411 having at one end thereof a post or stem 38a extending normally through the chamber and entrance. Removably secured to the free end of the stem through the medium of a rotatable element or nut 44 is a washer or disk 45 which is made to fit neatly and normally is in intimate contact with the rest so that, under certain conditions, the pneumatic pressure maintained within the pocket is confined therein and not permitted to pass through the entrance and into the canal. The piston, also of a differential type, has a smaller extremity or end 25a occupying an opening 23a opposed from and in alignment with the entrance. The smaller extremity is so formed that under certain operating conditions it Will fit neatly against the seat to bar the passage of air from the pocket to the chamber for the full effect of the entrance. Disposed within the upper portion of the valve is an end compartment 34a defined at one end by a removably secured cap 33a. The piston has another or larger extremity or one removed from the smaller extremity formed by a head 3 la which slidingly fits into the compartment and has, acting between the head and a portion of the valve spaced therefrom, a coil or helical spring 3211 which surrounds the piston. The coil spring functions as a means whereby the piston. is retained in normal or retracted position as illustrated; that is to say, with the smaller extremity of the piston spaced from the seat and the disk in bearing relation with the rest. Leading into the compartment through the cap is an actuating line 22a which has its origin in a control valve (not shown) under the supervision of an operator and through which an application of air pressure may be sent to build up in the compartment and urge the piston toward the pocket end of the valve. Interposed in the actuating line is a semi-plug 46 forming a restriction in the actuating line so that the air pressure within the compartment and acting on the piston head will be built up gradually to delay or control somewhat the action of the piston. When pneumatic pressure is admitted to the compartment the piston is moved, as recited above, toward the pocket end of the valve, thereby moving the disk away from its associated rest, which action Will result in compressed air passing into the chamber and out therefrom through the canal and nozzle to effect a cleanout blast or operation. Since, as before described, the action of the piston is somewhat delayed, the cleanout blast will be continued for a sufiicient length of time to thoroughly and positively remove an and all obstacles formed or present in the sand trap or discharge pipe (not shown) leading to the area adjacent the rails. This extended action of the piston will be continued until the smaller end thereof will come to rest or bear against the seat Ilia at which time the cleanout blast will be definitely cut off.

The smaller end of the piston is provided with a radial port 31a extending therethrough and communicating, particularly during an abnormal position of the piston, with the chamber. Leading into the radial port are a plurality of longitudinally extending ports 36a which, when the piston is bearing against the seat, permit in a limited or restricted sense, the passage of air from the pocket into the chamber which is free to pass into the canal and nozzle. By this arrangement,

6 therefore, the cleanout blast will be followed by a sanding operation.

From the foregoing description it will become apparent that various changes and alterations may be made to the illustrated and described constructions without departing from within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A sanding mechanism comprising a casing having a sand supply port and a discharge port, a single nozzle extending into said casing between said ports and through which both a sanding operation supply of air and a cleanout blast of air is selectively carried, a valve communicating with said nozzle and provided with a piston ar-.

ranged so an initial cleanout blast of air is sent through said nozzle, said piston during said clean-- out blast being urged toward and into engage-- ment with a seat within said valve leading into said nozzle to thereby finally arrest said cleanout blast, and cross ports in said piston; one of said cross ports being in communication with a supply of air and the other of said cross ports being iii communication with said nozzle when said pis-,

ton is in seat-engaging position.

2. A sanding mechanism comprising a body provided with spaced sand upply and discharge ports, asingle nozzle projecting into said body and being directed toward said discharge port, an air supply valve communicating with said nozzle, a reciprocating piston in said valve, a seat in said valve and leading to said single nozzle, said seat being adapted to be engaged by said piston, said piston being arranged to be moved toward and contact said seat during an application of a cleanout blast, cross ports in said piston, one port of said cross ports permitting the entrance of air to another port of said cross ports, and the latter of said cross ports permitting the passage of a limited amount of air beyond said seat into said single nozzle.

3. A sanding mechanism comprising a body provided with spaced sand supply and discharge ports, a single nozzle projecting into said body and being directed toward said discharge port, an air supply valve communicating with said nozzle, a reciprocating piston in said valve, a seat in said valve and leading to said nozzle, said seat being adapted to be. engaged by said piston, spring means associated 'with said piston for holding the latter normally away from said seat, said piston being arranged to be moved toward and contact said seat during an application of a cleanout blast,

- cross ports in said piston, one port of said cross ports permitting the entrance of air to another port of said cross ports, and the latter of said cross ports permitting the passage of air beyond said seat.

4. A sanding mechanism comprising a body provided with spaced sand supply and discharge ports, a single nozzle projecting into said body and being directed toward said discharge port for transmission of cleanout and sanding applications of air to said body, an air supply valve communicating with said nozzle, a differential piston arranged to reciprocate within said valve, a seat in said valve leading to said nozzle and arranged to be contacted by said piston, spring means associated with said piston for normally holding said piston away from said seat for allowing a cleanout application of air through said nozzle, restricted means for permitting the application of air to a larger end of said piston to urge the latter against said seat, and means for 7 directing; a limited amount of air beyond the plane of said seat and through said nozzle for a sanding application when said piston is in seat-V engaging position.

A sanding mechanism comprising a body provided with spaced sand supply and discharge ports, a sole nozzle projecting into said body and. being directed toward said discharge port for transmission or cleanout and sanding applications of air to said body, an air supply valve communicating with said nozzle, a difierential piston arranged to reciprocate within said valve, a seat in said valve leading to said nozzle and arranged to be contacted by said piston, restricted means for permitting the application of air to a larger end of said piston to urge the latter toward and finally against said seat, and means in saidpiston for directing a limited amount of air beyond the plane of said seat and through said nozzle for a sanding application when said piston is in seatengaging position.

6. A sanding mechanism comprising a body provided with spaced sand supply and discharge ports, a sole'nozzle projecting into said body and being directed toward said discharge port for transmission of cleanout and sanding applications of air to said body, an air supply valve communicating with said nozzle, a seat in said valve at the entrance to said nozzle, a difierential piston arranged to reciprocate within said valve, said piston at one end being normally spaced from said seat for allowing a cleanout blast of air to said nozzle and adapted to engage said seat to bar the entrance of a cleanout blast of air to said nozzle, said piston having an end larger than said seat-engaging portion and adapted to 8 be subjected to air pressure to move said piston towards said seat, and means within said piston whereby a predetermined amount of air is per.- mitted to pass through said nozzle.

7. A sanding mechanism comprising a body provided with spaced sand supply and discharge ports, a sole nozzle projecting into said body and being directed toward said discharge port, an air supply valve communicating with said nozzle, a seat in said valve at the entrance to said nozzle, a differential piston arranged to reciprocate with in said valve, said piston at one end being nor-. mally spaced from said seat and adapted to engage said seat to bar the entrance of a cleanout blast of air to said nozzle, said piston having an end larger than said seat-engaging portion and adapted to be subjected to air pressure to move said piston towards said seat, sprin mean intermediate the ends of said piston for holding the latter in normal position, and cross ports within said piston whereby a predetermined amount of air is permitted to pass through said nozzle.

VIRGIL L. FRANTZ.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Campbell May 27, 1941 

